Red Moscow

"Comrade Major," Sokov looked at the elderly major in front of him, and said to him, "Let me introduce the defense situation here."

Looking at the two commanders wearing tank caps standing in front of him, the major instinctively locked the target of his report on Bely, and said respectfully: "Report to Comrade Colonel, the current defense situation is as follows , Since the entire division participated in today's counter-offensive, only my battalion was left to defend. Now the first company is defending the first worker's village on the left, while the third company is defending the second worker's village on the right. The second company and my battalion headquarters are in charge of frontal defense, and within our defense zone are schools, clubs, stadiums and swimming pools."

Listening to the major's report, Sokov couldn't help thinking: The supporting facilities of the Red October factory are really complete enough, and the buildings occupied by these facilities are extremely strong. Once these areas are occupied by the German army , then they will have a foothold, and it will be easier to launch an attack on the factory area in the future.

After Bely waited for the major to finish his report, he glanced at Sokov. Seeing that he was silent, he asked the major, "Comrade major, I would like to ask, which direction is the most difficult for you to defend?"

"The No. 1 and No. 2 Worker's Villages have strong fortifications, and with the assistance of the militia and residents, there will be no danger for the time being." The major said worriedly: "Now it is the frontal defense, and the strength seems a bit weak , and the lack of anti-tank weapons, otherwise the enemy would not break through our defenses so quickly."

Sokov thought for a moment, and felt that what he brought this time was a tank unit. If it were placed in a residential area full of ruins, it might not be conducive to attacking, so he took the initiative to say to the major: "Comrade major, the defense of the school and the stadium depends on We are in charge, you withdraw all the troops there."

When the major heard Sokov say this, he didn't answer, but turned his eyes to Bely, thinking strangely: Hell, the colonel hasn't spoken yet, how can this lieutenant colonel give orders casually?

Bely saw the major's doubts, so he smiled and said to him: "Comrade major, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, everything here is up to him, and you follow his orders." Do it."

The major may have heard of Sokov's name, so he didn't dare to neglect, and quickly replied: "Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I will hand over the defense to your troops immediately."

"First company commander," Sokov called the first company commander who was standing not far away, and told him, "You follow this major to receive defense."

After the first company commander left with the major, Bely asked curiously: "Comrade brigade commander, why did you take over the defense of the school and the stadium? You know, these places are relatively open and not conducive to defense. Even if we hide in a solid building In fact, the German army only needs a few 75mm guns to shoot at close range to destroy our firepower points and make the defense troops pay a huge price."

Sokov naturally understood what Bely said, but under the current circumstances, this was his only choice. In order to dispel the doubts in Bely's heart, he explained: "Comrade Colonel, the troops left by the Guards Division are all infantry, which cannot stop the German tanks. Therefore, these two places are now the weak points of the defense line. We With the assistance of tanks, it is much easier to defend than friendly forces, and when necessary, we can also dispatch tanks to carry out counter-assaults, greatly killing the enemy's effective forces."

Bely looked ahead and said: "The German army was eager for success in the attack just now. They rushed to the family area in a hurry without occupying the school, club and stadium first, trying to rush into the factory area quickly, but we were hit head-on. ...I think they will learn the lesson, concentrate all their technical equipment, and launch a new round of attacks on schools and stadiums that are conducive to the development of mechanization."

"Comrade Brigadier, Comrade Brigadier." As soon as Bely finished speaking, Sokov heard someone calling himself. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Vanya, Second Company and Third Company The commanders and fighters were trotting over all the way.

When Vanya came in front of Sokov and Bely, he was already a little out of breath. After taking a few deep breaths, he asked, "Comrade Brigadier, please assign a task."

"Comrade Captain, the situation is like this." Sokov pointed to the front and said to Vanya: "We will take over the defense of the school and the stadium. The first company and the first platoon of tanks are responsible for the defense of the school, and the second company and the second tank The platoon sticks to the stadium, and the third company and the third tank platoon serve as the reserve team. Wherever the direction is tight, they will go to support. Do you understand?"

After listening to the tasks assigned by Sokov, Vanya tentatively asked: "Comrade Brigadier, I would like to ask where are the schools and the stadium?"

"I have asked the company commander to follow the comrades of the friendly army to take over the position." Sokov replied: "When the company commander comes back later, you can ask him to take you to the school or the stadium. Then you can choose one of them. as your command post."

"Comrade Brigadier," Vanya stood still and suggested to Sokov because he had to wait for the company commander to come back to lead the way, and at the same time suggested to Sokov: "It's too dangerous here, I ask you to go back to the underground command post of the assembly workshop to command, I will report the situation on the battlefield to you in time."

"What's the matter with you, Comrade Captain? Why would you give me such a suggestion?" After listening to Vanya's proposal, Sokov said a little bit dumbfoundingly: "Don't you know that the divisional headquarters of our army are usually 100 meters away from the front line?" It's only three hundred to five hundred meters, but you let me, the brigade commander, stay a few kilometers away from the front like a timid German commander. How come, how can I command the battle?"

In order to prevent Vanya from continuing to persuade himself to leave the front line, Sokov waved his hand at him and said impatiently: "Okay, Comrade Captain, you don't need to say anything, leave the third company behind, and you take the second company with you." To take over the defense of friendly forces."

After sending Vanya away, Sokov asked Bely: "Comrade Colonel, where do you think our headquarters should be located?"

Bely thought for a while, and then replied: "I think it will be located in the club. According to the usual pattern of domestic buildings, there must be a four-story building there, and you can observe the situation of the school and the stadium at the same time." .”

Sokov felt that Bely knew the layout of the city better than himself, and the location he chose must be very suitable for observing the situation on the battlefield and commanding operations, so he nodded and said decisively: "Comrade Colonel, get in the car." , we're heading to the club now."